On 28 October, the anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia, President Petr Pavel posthumously awarded the Medal of Merit (Medaile Za zásluhy) to Ivan Hodáč, co-founder of Aspen Institute Central Europe, for his services to the state in the field of international relations. Ivan Hodáč was distinguished as a leading figure in European public and economic life and a supporter of a new generation of democratic leaders.
Dita Charanzová, who led support for the nomination, said:
“I’m delighted that Ivan Hodáč has been awarded the Medal of Merit in memoriam. Ivan was one of our country’s most important and most respected unofficial ambassadors. For decades he worked for the benefit of the Czech Republic, contributed to the development of a democratic culture, and helped shape generations of people who today bear responsibility for our country’s future. For me personally, Ivan was above all a person of exceptional integrity, professionalism and dedication to the public interest. It is people like him who help shape the character of our country. I am glad that Ivan has received this well-deserved recognition and that the Czech Republic remembers him with gratitude and respect.”
She also stressed that the nomination would not have been possible had it not been for help and support of great many friends, colleagues and Alumni:
- Dita Charanzová – Former Vice-President of the European Parliament (spearheaded the nomination)
- Vladimír Bärtl – Czech Ambassador to the EU
- Tomáš Boček – Vice-Governor, Council of Europe Development Bank
- Daniel Braun – CEO, GLOBSEC
- Daniela Břízová Ratajová – Judge
- Yemi A.D. – Choreographer and Creative Director
- Gabriel Eichler – Entrepreneur and investor, founder of Benson Oak
- Dita Formánková– Founder, Czechitas
- Jakub Hlávka – Director, Institute for Health Economics, Policy and Innovation, Masaryk University
- Ondřej Houska – Journalist, editor at Hospodářské noviny
- Martin Jahn – Member of the Board of Management, Škoda Auto
- Petr Jonák – Board Member, Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic
- Věra Jourová – Former Vice-President of the European Commission
- Tomáš Klvaňa – Executive Director, Aspen Institute Central Europe
- Karolína Kottová – Deputy Head of Cabinet of Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement
- Taťána le Moigne – Former CEO of Google for Central and Eastern Europe
- Jan Lukačevič – Scientist, NATO 2030 Young Leader
- Jan Macháček – Commentator, analyst, President of the Strategeo Institute
- Jiří Mádl – Actor, director and screenwriter
- Václav Marhoul – Director, screenwriter and producer
- Marek Mora – Vice-President, European Investment Bank
- Zbyněk Pavlačík – Chairman, Jagello 2000
- Pavel Řehák – Founder and CEO, Direct Group
- Michael Rozsypal – Moderator and journalist
- Tomáš Salomon – Chairman of the Board, Česká spořitelna
- Radek Špicar – Vice-President, Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic
- Filip Šváb – Executive Director of External Affairs, AT&T
- Zdeněk Tůma – Former Governor, Czech National Bank
We are deeply honoured by this recognition. Ivan’s legacy continues through the Ivan Hodáč Aspen Young Leaders Program and the community of young leaders he spent the last chapter of his life building.